Category: Uncategorized

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch (CloudLibrary)

Snow Like Ashes follows Meira, an orphan girl from the conquered kingdom of Winter. Meria is one of only eight (free) surviving Winterians following the subjugation of Winter and the enslavement of the remaining citizens. Much of Meria’s life consists of training to be a mighty knight in the hope of one day recapturing Winter, but when scouts from another country find Meria’s camp her world is thrown into chaos. I greatly enjoyed this book and the two succeeding novels in the trilogy. The eight countries emulating seasons and sound were written in vivid detail which I found very entertaining. The characters, as well as the different countries, were unique and compelling in their own ways. Overall, Snow Like Ashes was a very fun read that was hard to put down. 

5 stars

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City on Fire By Don Winslow (Request)(CloudLibrary)

Don Winslow translates his love for classic literary tales, like The Iliad, and turns it into a contemporary saga set in his hometown of Providence, Rhode Island. Together the Irish and the Italians have been controlling criminal activity in New England, until a beautiful woman comes between them and ignites a war.
“City on Fire” is a true crime family novel set in the 1980s with all the drama, suspense, and authentic dialogue Winslow is known for. It is a fast paced, mob story with likeable characters who are gritty and unapologetic. If you are a fan of his previous novels, or of stories like The Godfather, this is a must read.

4 Stars

Ocean State by Stewart O’Nan (Request)(CloudLibrary)

A high school student is murdered and everyone involved has the projectory of their lives changed forever. Set in a coastal town in Rhode Island, Ocean State follows two teenage girls, and their families, as one boy becomes romantically entangled with both.

This is another book I picked up without knowing what it was going to be about. Had I known in advance, I probably wouldn’t have read it. The storyline, while plausible, just didn’t sit well with me. Perhaps because I am a mother of girls who will someday become teenagers, or because of the foulness of the character’s speech, attitude, and actions.

2 Stars

A Family Affair By Robyn Carr (Request)(CloudLibrary)

Women’s lit mega star Robyn Carr brings her fans a new novel which is part romance and part domestic drama. Anna McNichol, a respected judge and mother of three grown children, believes keeping her rock marriage afloat is worth it, until her husband suddenly does in a rafting accident.  Ms. Carr takes us through the journey of the family from the funeral through the next year.  Robyn Carr is my go to for heartwarming love stories, however this one missed the mark for me. There was too much packed into this one story and some of the storylines felt unnecessary.  I am not a fan of constant Covid references in the books I read.  I am living through it and feel like books are a great escape from that.  I will always read books by Robyn Carr, this just wasn’t one of her best. 

3 Stars